Which Young Striker Should Tottenham Sign?
Saido Berahino (21) – West Bromwich Albion
What he’s done recently
At 21-years-old he’s accomplished quite a few things already.
Since debuting in the Premier League two years ago with West Brom, the English international has gone on to produce two really good seasons in a row. For his first year in the top flight of English football, Saido Berahino appeared in 36 games, scored 11 goals and had 2 assists in all competitions. For a 20-year-old at the time in his first Premier League season, the Baggies couldn’t have asked for more. But yet he delivered in the following season last year.
If the ’13-’14 season was good, then the ’14-’15 season was even better.
Berahino made 45 appearances, scored 20 goals and had 6 assists in all competitions. The 21-year-old striker would log in 9 more games, double his goals scored and triple the amount of assists he had the previous year.
In terms of playing for his national team, England, he’s represented the U-21 England team 12 times and went on to score 11 goals with 2 assists since being called up. Saido Berahino is on the uptick to improve once again if his trajectory maintains at it’s current rate for club and country.
How would he fit with Tottenham
Because Harry Kane scored 31 goals in all competitions and Saido Berahino scored 20 goals in all competitions, it could almost be a toss up for Mauricio Pochettino on who will start for certain fixtures.
Kane would undoubtedly be the club’s starter and is the future at Tottenham, but if Berahino was brought in, Spurs would be in good hands to see Harry Kane rest for a few games throughout the year, especially in cup competitions.
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Should Pochettino feel compelled to play both together at the same time, then just like Timo Werner if he were to start as striker, Berahino would be the lone striker and Harry Kane would be dropped down into the midfield as an attacking midfielder or even a secondary striker.
Another option but one which might not be used, is switching to a 4-4-2 diamond formation with both strikers playing together and causing havoc for defenses in the Premier League, cup competitions and Europa League.
Both players also have the added bonus of playing together on the U-21 England national team. Out of all the strikers on this list, Saido Berahino is clearly the favorite to work well with Harry Kane and help Tottenham in the future.
Can Tottenham afford him
West Brom would want a lot of money to sell their best striker and player.
With that said, Tottenham have offered £15 million to sign the Englishman in hopes of pairing him up with Harry Kane. The Mirror have labeled Saido Berahino as a priority for Mauricio Pochettino, but in all honesty any offensive player that is linked to Tottenham — strikers, wingers and midfielders are all priorities.
There’s a good possibility that the offer Tottenham submitted to West Brom might not be enough. If that were to happen, then another bid should be put down around £18-23 million as that’s still fair for both clubs. The Baggies get more money to spend (as low as £3 million and as high as £8 million) and Tottenham come back with another striker.
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